"I spoke with Secretary Mattis over the weekend and raised the issue of US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports," Minister Payne said.

"Restrictions on imports of steel and aluminium from Australia are not justified and, more broadly, Australia continues to advocate for free and open markets."

Other steel manufacturing nations and traditional US trading partners – such as Canada – have also pushed for lower tariff rates or exemptions, however, Mr Trump has continued to rule out any concessions.

Mr Mackenzie said Asia, and India, will be the world’s development hub, praising China’s Belt and Road initiative which is planning a swathe of massive infrastructure projects across Asia in order to spur the region’s economy.

Mr Mackenzie took one last dig at Mr Trump’s leadership while boosting the role of Asia, outlining the possibilities of the Trans-Pacific Partnership "without the US".